The Black Cats fought back from a 2-0 deficit against West Ham at the weekend to snatch a draw and take their tally for the season to 17 points from 11 games.

While that represents a promising start for the new manager, he is challenging his players to repeat it in their next 11 fixtures to pave the way for genuine progress in their efforts to establish the club in the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League table.

He said: “The campaign is a long one and it’s not just going to happen where we turn ourselves into European contenders overnight - this club has only been two years out of the Championship.

“There’s still a lot of work and a lot of improvement to do until we get to a point where we can say it’s a blip if we play poorly.

“We have got to look at it this way - can we do the same over the next 11 games? Can we pick up another 17 points?

“If we do that, we will have a decent platform for a decent season.”

Saturday’s recovery ensured that only Chelsea have left the Stadium of Light with all three points this season, with Blackburn, Hull, Wolves and Liverpool all having lost on Wearside.

The Black Cats lost on their own pitch on no fewer than 10 occasions last season, and that turn-around has pleased the manager as much as anything.

He added: “The most important thing is doing it in front of our own fans, and that’s what we knew we needed to do this year.

“People were telling me the best performances last season were away from home, but now I think the fans have realised there’s been an improvement and they can understand and enjoy what we are trying to do on the pitch.

“The players deserve a pat on the back because we have lost once - against Chelsea - and that’s a decent return.”

Sunderland head for Tottenham on Saturday to launch a tough November campaign which will include Arsenal’s trip north and a visit to Wigan after the international break, a run which will be even more challenging because of Bruce’s selection problems.

Striker Kenwyne Jones is facing three games on the sidelines after being sent off at the weekend, while skipper Lorik Cana is suspended for the game at White Hart Lane after accumulating five bookings for the season.